CorazónColombia

Culture · San Andrés

La Loma & the First Baptist Church

1.5 hoursMax 12EasyFamily friendly

Before you book this one

A working church and a residential village. Dress modestly, and do not photograph services or people without asking.

The hill village at the island’s centre, where the Raizal community has its roots and where the First Baptist Church — built in 1847 from Alabama pine — still holds services in Creole with singing you can hear from the road.

What you do

  • The 1847 First Baptist Church and its tower
  • The view across the island from the ridge
  • Raizal Creole, Protestant tradition and island identity
  • A part of San Andrés most visitors never reach

As a private booking

A Raizal guide from La Loma, time inside the church with someone from the congregation, and lunch in the village.

See VIP packages

Practical notes for San Andrés

  • You need a tourist card to fly here. Every visitor buys a Tarjeta de Turismo at the departure airport before boarding — Colombians included. Keep it; you need it to leave. Budget roughly US$30 and confirm the current price when you book.
  • This is Raizal land. The islands have their own Afro-Caribbean Raizal people, language and Baptist church tradition, distinct from mainland Colombia. Residency is legally restricted to protect it. Learn the difference — it is the most interesting thing about the place.
All San Andrés notes

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